WNBA fined players for wearing commemorative black T-shirt

The teams wore the #BlackLivesMatter shirts following the deaths of two men and five police officers on 7 July

The Women’s National Basketball Association WNBA , US, has fined three teams and their players for wearing black warm-up shirts in the wake of recent shootings by and against police officers.

New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever were fined $5,000 while their players each received a fine of $500.

The teams wore the #BlackLivesMatter shirts following the deaths of two men and five police officers on 7 July.

WNBA rules state that uniforms may not be altered in any way.

“We are proud of WNBA players’ engagement and passionate advocacy for non-violent solutions to difficult social issues but expect them to comply with the league’s uniform guidelines,” WNBA President Lisa Borders said in a statement.

Angry Phoenix forward Mistie Bass tweeted “Don’t say we have a voice and then fine us because we use it,” Phoenix Mercury.